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Whether you’re entertaining at home for two or a few, there’s nothing quite like sharing a meal and drinks with loved ones. We’ve gathered up a few of our favorite home essentials for making those get-togethers extra special. Bon appetit!

Although summer doesn’t officially start until June 21, Memorial Day weekend will always serve as the unofficial kickoff of the season. Gather your family and friends around the grill and welcome summer the right way with these BBQ essentials!

Many consider the kitchen to be the heart, the center, the life force, if you will, of the home---and for good reason! The kitchen is where people congregate at the beginning and the end of the day, where meals (and oftentimes, homework and messy science projects) are prepared--- in a nutshell: it’s where the real magic happens!

So why wouldn’t you want the heart of your home to be a lively and beautiful place to spend quality time? We’ve rounded up a few kitchen gadgets that add a dose of fun & color to the most important room in your home:

Place the cucumber slices in the plastic filter of your Bodum Iced Tea Jug. Pour the lemonade concentrate and let stand for 10 minutes. Pour in the lemon-lime soda. Pour into glasses and garnish with lemon slices. Serve to your parched guests and enjoy!

One of the great joys in life is entertaining at home for friends and family. With BBQ season in full swing, we’re excited to fire up the grill, serve up some refreshing cocktails and share some yummy summertime fare with those we love! From good ol’ homemade apple pie to salads and burgers, great food is meant to be enjoyed with great company.

Check out some of our favorite dining and kitchen gadgets for pulling off the perfect lunch or dinner get-togethers in your backyard this summer.

For a refreshing summer treat for the whole family, try this delicious smoothie recipe from Vitamix®!

Citrus Smoothie

Ingredients:

1 orange, peeled and quartered

¼ lemon, peeled, quartered and seeded

½ cup fresh pineapple chunks

¼ cup fresh mango chunks

1 cup ice cubes

Place all ingredients in the Vitamix in the order listed. Start at Variable 1 setting and turn on the machine. Slowly increase the speed to 10 then to High. Blend for 1 minute or until desired consistency is reached. Enjoy!

Today is International Chocolate Day. However, that’s not the focus of this post; in fact, quite the opposite. Although chocolate (particularly dark chocolate) is great when enjoyed in moderation, a healthy lifestyle really does rely predominantly on a healthy, balanced diet.

A diet that consists of mostly whole, unprocessed foods, with lots of fruits and veggies in the mix, is considered to be the healthiest. If that sounds bland and boring to you, think again! Healthy eating can be just as satisfying, if not more so, than eating junk. The trick is having the right kitchen gadgets and experiment with healthy ingredients you love.

For breakfast or a delicious mid-day snack, a refreshing green smoothie* or juice is a great option. With the right blend of yummy fruits and veggies, these super-nutritious drinks are packed with so much vitamins and minerals that are easily absorbed into the body. Investing in a high-quality blender and/or juicer is something your body will reap rewards from for years to come. That’s why it’s always on our “healthy living” must-have list!

For dinner, opt for lean meats and veggies grilled to perfection. Kabobs** are a really easy option, so is grilled fish with salad or a delicious homemade salsa as a side.

One of our favorite things about the holiday season is the liberty to indulge in our favorite desserts. Diets can wait until the New Year! That’s what resolutions are for, right?

Why not get the baker in your life (or yourself) a gift that keeps on giving with some of the best baking tools around?

In the spirit of sweet indulgence, check out this delicious recipe for a classic pecan pie!

Irresistible Pecan Pie by IHART44

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons white sugar

1/2 cup butter, chilled

4 tablespoons ice water

3 eggs, beaten

3/4 cup light corn syrup

2 tablespoons dark corn syrup

3/4 cup light brown sugar

3 tablespoons butter, melted

1 pinch salt

1/2 cup pecans, finely crushed

1 cup pecans, quartered

1 cup pecan halves

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

To make crust: In a medium bowl, combine flour, salt and white sugar. Cut butter into flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually sprinkle the water over the dry mixture, stirring until dough comes together enough to form a ball.

On a floured surface flatten dough ball with rolling pin. Roll out into a circle that is one inch larger than pie dish. Place pie shell into dish and refrigerate until pie filling is complete.

To make pie filling: In a medium bowl, mix together eggs, light and dark corn syrups, brown sugar, butter, salt and finely crushed pecans. Spread quartered pecans over bottom of refrigerated pie crust. Pour syrup mixture over top of pecans, and then arrange pecan halves on top of pie.

Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) oven for one hour or until firm; let cool for one hour before serving.